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Anuparna Roy Makes History at Venice Film Festival

9/21/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Anuparna Roy became the first Indian director to win the Orizzonti Award for her film Songs of Forgotten Trees at the Venice Film Festival.
Her win represents a milestone for women from her background, highlighted by her emotional acceptance speech.
Roy, from a tribal village in West Bengal's Purulia district, transitioned from IT to filmmaking after connecting with film students.
She self-funded her debut short film, Run to the River, over six years.
Producer Ranjan Singh and director Anurag Kashyap supported her feature film project.

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Story summary

Anuparna Roy became the first Indian director to win the Orizzonti Award for her film Songs of Forgotten Trees at the Venice Film Festival.
Her win represents a milestone for women from her background, highlighted by her emotional acceptance speech.
Roy, from a tribal village in West Bengal's Purulia district, transitioned from IT to filmmaking after connecting with film students.
She self-funded her debut short film, Run to the River, over six years.
Producer Ranjan Singh and director Anurag Kashyap supported her feature film project.